Combined atomizer and vaporizer for oil engines



A. c. SMITH COMBINED ATOMIZER AND VAPORIZER FOR OIL ENGINES Filed July 12, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 U W Q RN:

Dec. COMBII INED ATOMIZER AND VAPORIZER FOR OIL ENGINES A. C. SMITH Filed July 12, 1920 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 n L t mm .5 C w E Z T A I ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

ARTHUR CYROUS SMITH, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAlVI W. HASSELL AND ONE-HALF TO ARTHUR C. SMITH, BOTH OF COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

COMBINED ATOMIZER AND VAPORIZER FOR 0111 ENGINES.

Application filed July 12, 1920. Serial No. 395,709.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR GYRoUs SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Colorado Springs, in the county of El Paso and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Atomizers and Vaporizers for Oil Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to internal combustion engines burning hydro-carbon oils and particularly to a combined atomizer and vaporizer for converting fuel oil into gas.

A purpose of my invention is the provision of an atomizer and vaporizer in which the vaporizing member is so constructed and arranged within a cylinder as to permit of the direct application of an exterior source of heat thereto whereby a rapid and eflicient initial heating of the member can be effected.

Furthermore, my invention provides a vaporizing member which uniformly distributes the fuel vapor throughout the explosion end of the cylinder, such member in its applied position being subjected to uniform pressure throughout its area to allow of the use of a comparatively light and inexpensive construction capable of withstanding all pressures without distortion.

A further purpose of my invention resides in the provision of an atomizer and vaporizer in which the atomizing member effects a thorough atomization of the fuel as it enters a cylinder and directs the same into the vaporizing member in a manner to assist the latter in uniformly distributing the vaporized fuel within the cylinder.

I will describe two forms of device embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view partly in longitudinal section showing a conventional form of oil engine having applied thereto one form of combined atomizer and vaporizer embodying my invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view showing in longitudinal section the atomizing member and a portion of the vaporizing member shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view showing in end eleration the atomizing member shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 41 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line d4c of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55- of Figure 1..

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing another form of cylinder head and vaporizing member embodying my invention. Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6. r Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views;

Referring specifically to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the combined atomizer and vaporizer forming the subject matter of my invention essentially consists of an atomizing member and a vaporizing member, the former being designated generally at A and comprising a body 15 preferably formed of steel, a nozzle 16, an

atomizing block 17 and a valve 18. As illus- Y posite end of the duct 15 communicates with a chamber 15", the lower end portion of which is of an increased diameter with its wall threaded to receive the nozzle 16. The

nozzle 16 is of cup-formation with its lower" end wall formed with a circular series of perforations 16 all of which are inclined outwardly from the axis of the nozzle for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. \Vithin the nozzle 16 is fitted'the atomizing block 17, such block being of circular formation as shown in Figured and provided at intervals upon its periphery with longitudinally extending channels 17 The opposite ends of the block. 17 are formed exteriorly thereof with pins 17 and 17,

the pin 17 reposing upon the'upper side i of the lower end wall of the nozzle 16 and thus maintaining the block in spaced relation to the lower end of the nozzle. 'This arrangement permits of the freepassage of the fuel oil from the channels 17 to and through the perforations 16 as will be more fully described. The upper pin 17 is embraced by and serves to position a coiled. expansible spring 20. The upper end of the spring 20 supports and urges the valve 18 into engage ment with a valve seat 15 formed at the junctionv 0f the duct and the chamber 15*. As clearly. shown in Figure 2, the valve 18 is of the ball type, and under the action of the spring normally occupies the seat 15 so as to close the lower end of the duct 15 The vaporizing member is designated generally at V and as shown in Figures 1 and 5 comprises an outer tube 21 and an inner tube 22, snugly fitted within the outer tube with one end projecting beyond the correspondingend of theouter tube, and its opposite end terminating at such a point that when. in applied position within the cylinder head of an oil engine that it will coincide with the-axis of. the cylinder head; As shown. in, Figure 5, the tubes 21 and are formed with registeringperforations 23 through which the vaporized oil leaves the vaporizing member andenters the combustion end of the cylinder of an oil eng ne. As show-min Figure 1, the outer tube 21 is formedat one. end with an outwardly flared annular lip or flange 22 which is adapted to be engaged by a screw plug ilbfor securing the vaporizing member as unit within the cylinder head of'an engine. The screw plug 2% is provided with an extension as which is formed. with anopening to slidably receive an actuating handle 25, which is adaptedto be gripped-in actuating the plug, as will be understood.

In Figure l I have illustrated a conventional form of oil engine the cylinder head of which isprovided at diametrically opposite points withsuitable openings for the reception of the atomizing and vaporizing members. In the applied position of the atomizing and vaporizing members to the cylinder head of the oil engine, the vaporizing member isinserted through the largest opening of the cylinder head so that it extends almost entirely across the bore of the cylinder. The opening or the vaporizing member is formed with an annular shoulder against which the lip 22 is adapted to be held by the screw plug 24. The atomizing member A is threadedly fitted within the other opening of the cylinder head, a nut 15 being formed on. the outer end of the body 15 to facilitatethe application or removal of the atomizing member to or from the cylinder head as will be understood As applied,,the.nozzle16 of the atomizing member is part-1y inserted into the adjacent endof the vaporizing member with the perfora tions 16 extending in the direction of the innerwall of the tube 22.

In operation an initial heating of the vaporizing member is effected by first removing the plug 24 and then inserting a lighted torch. directly into the member. After the vaporizing member has been heated to a. proper degree, the torch is removed and the plug 24 replaced so that the engine is now ready to start. Fuel. oil is now introduced into the atomizing member through the pipe 19 under such pressure as to effect an opening of the valve 18. The oil, after traversing the duct 15* enters the chamber 15' and from the chamber 15" passes through the several channels 17 of the atomizing block 17. During the passage of the oil through the channels 17 a subdivision of the oil into mimite particles is eifected so that when it leaves the nozzle through the perforations it is'in the, form of a spray. From the nozzle 16 thisoil spray impinges upon the inner wall of the. inner tube 22, and the latter being sufliciently heated causes the spray to be converted into a vapor which whenmixed withasufficient quantityof air introduced into thecylinder through another source (not shown) produces an explosive mixture which isiignited when the piston reachesthe endof its compression stroke. Asthe piston advances on its compression stroke, the vaporized fuel within the vaporizing member. is ejected through the several perforations 23 where it is uniformly mixed with the air throughout the area of the cylinder head thereby producing a high explosive mixture which, as previously explained, is ignitedl when, the piston reaches the end of its; compression stroke After the vaporizing member has been initially heatedtoeifect the initial explosion of the gaseous mixture, it continues to be heated by the explosions in the cylinder. By virtue of the inner tube 22, a greater heating of the vaporizing member is secured at its entrance end or where. the atomized oil is introduced into the. member. This is, of course, due to. the increasedthic-kness of the vaporizing member, with the result that, as the atomized fuel enters the vaporizing member it is immediately subjected to a heat of great intensity thereby effecting a complete vaporization of the fuel.

In practice, the nozzle 16 of the. atomizing member A and the tubes. 21 and 22 of the vaporizing men'iber V are all formed of copper, it having been found that copper, when subjected to a heat of fluctuating, in tensity causes a continuous annealing of the copper which. action serves to throw 03 any carbon deposits which may adhere to their surfaces.

Referring now to Figures 6' and 7, I have here shown a modified form of vaporizing member designated generally at V and comprising a horizontal tubular portion formed integral with and communicating with a vertical tubular portion 31 at a point intermediate its ends. The vertical tubular portion 31 is closed at one of its ends as shown in Figure 6, its open end receiving the nozzle 16 of the atomizing member A so as to receive the atomized fuel and effect a uniform distribution of lit) the same in the same manner as described in connection with the vaporizing member V.

As shown in Figure 6, the vaporizing member V as a unit is secured in proper position within the cylinder by means of arms 32 which are formed integral with the horizontal tubular portion and are provided with openings to receive bolts 33 which secure the. arms to the inner side of the cylinder head in the manner shown. The horizontal tubular portion 30 extends into a hot bulb get which is formed integral with the cylinder head and communicates with the interior of the cylinder. This arrangement permits the initial heating of the vaporizing member by first heating the hot bulb 34: such heat being transmitted to the portion 30 and from the latter to the portion 31.

From the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it will be manifest that in both forms of vaporizing members, a uniform distribution of the vaporized fuel throughout the explosive end of a cylinderis readily effected by virtue of the manner in which the atomized fuel is introduced into the vaporizing member and the perforations formed in the walls of the latter. It will be further manifest that because of the manner in which the vaporizing member V is mounted within the cylinder head that a quick and efficient heating of such member can be easily effected as the heating medium can be directly applied to the vaporizing member.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of combined vaporizers and atomizers it is to be understood member having an annular lip formed on one end thereof, and a screw plug adapted to engage said lip for securing the member within a cylinder head and for closing the said end of the member.

3. A vaporizer for oil engines comprising a pair of perforated tubes arranged one within the other, the outer tube being of greater length than the inner tube, and its outer end adapted to be closed and secured within the cylinder head of the engine.

4. A vaporizer for oil engines comprising, a pair of perforated tubes arranged one within the other, the outer tube being of a greater length than the inner tube, and an annular flange formed on the outer end of the outer tube, whereby to secure said vaporizer in the cylinder head of the-engine.

5. In combination, a vaporizing member comprising, an outer tube having a lip formed on one end thereof an inner tube arranged within the outer tube and of a length less than the outer tube, registering perforations formed in both of said tubes, and a screw plug adapted to engage said lip for supporting the vaporizing member within a cylinder head.

6. In combination, a cylinder) head, a. vaporizer comprising a perforated tubular member extending into said head and hav ing open ends, one open end flared and adapted to be secured in said head, and means for removably securing said flared end in the head, said flared end adapted to be initially heated.

7. In combination, a cylinder head, a vaporizer comprising a perforated tubular member extending into said head and spaced from the end wall thereof and having open ends, one open end adapted to be secured in said head, removable means to secure such end in the head, said means adapted to be removed to permit application of a torch into the vaporizer to effect initial heating of same.

8. In combination, a vaporizer comprising a pair of perforated tubes arranged one within the other in snug fitting relation, the outer tube of greater length than the inner tube, the outer end of the inner tube projecting beyond the end of the outer tube, and means for securing the opposite end of the outer tube within a cylinder head.

ARTHUR CYROUS SMITH. 

